Platform for the food and beverage industry
Listeria is one of the most persistent bacteria that food producers need to be aware of. A bacterium that is also on the rise. On the one hand due to the desire of consumers to find as few additives as possible in their food. On the other, due to the increasing popularity of ready-to-eat meals that have not been heated sufficiently during preparation to kill off listeria. Reason enough, then, to make it the topic of Quality Days. This meeting day is aimed at everyone within the food industry concerned with quality in the broadest sense of the word. This year's event will take place on April 28 at the Ghelamco Arena in Ghent.
Did you know that listeria is among the three most deadly food bacteria in the world? However, it causes relatively mild symptoms in the majority of the population (fever, headache, diarrhea). But pregnant women, people with reduced resistance and the elderly are at increased risk. In them, the bacteria can strike harder, even resulting in death. A study by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, shows that listeria is becoming increasingly common. They reported a threefold increase from 2008 to 2015. The most recent figures from 2017 speak of 2,400 listeria infections in Europe. In Belgium, there were 74 registered infections that year.
The big challenge with listeria is that the bacteria can be found in almost all raw ingredients. It only becomes problematic when the number of germs exceeds a certain threshold. For ready-to-eat meals, that is set by Europe and the United States at 100 and 25 cfu/g at the end of shelf life, respectively. However, recent outbreaks made it clear that even low concentrations can have major consequences in weakened consumers. Food companies are therefore choosing the way forward and increasingly aiming for the complete absence of listeria. The challenge here is that this is a persistent bacterium that also thrives and grows in refrigerated environments. And that symptoms sometimes take up to eight weeks to appear.
But how can you arm yourself as a food company against such an enemy? The Quality Days therefore tries to bundle the best insights around listeria control. This event is aimed at everyone in the food industry who is concerned with quality in the broadest sense of the word. From quality in production to quality in the finishing of the product. Quality starts from the design of the company and only ends when the product is on the shelves. With Quality days, the organizers want to bring together everyone with responsibility for production and quality from various food companies to discuss this quality topic. Through speakers and practical experiences, they will debate and exchange experiences on how a company today monitors and controls its quality system.
As usual, Quality Days highlights listeria from various angles. This way, food companies get a better view of the problem, both in breadth and depth. The presentation is in the hands of Björn Crul. The program for the afternoon is as follows.
Practical info
Where. Ghelamco Arena
When. April 28
Register? through organizing companies
More info? www.qualitydays.be
3M FOOD SAFETY
3M Food Safety is a leading provider of innovative solutions for food and beverage testing and hygiene monitoring. The extensive product range includes 3M™ Petrifilm™ Counting Plates - a ready-to-use agar replacement, the 3M™ Molecular Detection System - an innovative pathogen detection system, the 3M™ Clean-Trace™ Hygiene Monitoring and Management System that delivers accurate, real-time quantitative ATP results, the 3M™ Allergen Protein Rapid tests and ELISA tests to detect both processed and unprocessed proteins plus a range of convenient sample handling products. 3M Food Safety's goal is to listen to customers, supporting them every step of the way to keep food safe - every brand, every batch, every bite.
www.3mbelgie.be
AGO
AGO JOBS & HR has been writing growth stories for 35 years. Not only for the careers of candidates, because at the same time AGO builds growing entrepreneurial dreams. Without talent there are no thriving businesses and vice versa. AGO is the ideal partner to recruit strong talent for permanent and temporary staff. As an HR service provider, AGO also strengthens organizations in supporting HR services: payrolling, testing & assessment, outplacement and HR outsourcing. As dynamic as the labor market is, as diverse are the various sectors. AGO therefore opts for in-depth experts in one specific sector. AGO Food focuses exclusively on the food sector. AGO Food's recruiters know the food companies and food regulations by heart. From chocolate production worker to brewery operator. Your vacancy is in good hands at AGO Food.
www.ago.jobs
ANTICIMEX
Anticimex has over 85 years of experience that allows it to choose the right control method and apply the correct treatment plan for food customers. The company's pest controllers know perfectly which means to use and this can be monitored through the Anticimex Digimex Reporting System. They visit SMEs, industrial companies, care institutions and government agencies. But also to hotels, restaurants, bakeries, butchers and private individuals. At Anticimex, they can count on fast service, a discrete approach and efficient results. With more than 270 employees, there is always someone on hand to help food companies get out of trouble quickly and use the right techniques and resources to ensure that pests disappear quickly.
www.anticimex.be
ARCO
Refrigeration is essential to keep people and food in optimal condition. In the field of refrigeration technology, you can ask Arco anything. For this Belgian company with offices in Lokeren and Geel, industrial refrigeration holds no secrets. As a refrigeration company, it develops, renovates, installs and maintains refrigeration and freezer systems, supermarket installations, air conditioning and heat pumps and air treatment systems. Because every project in refrigeration technology is unique, Arco always works closely with its customers to arrive at the right solution. In doing so, it also maintains its personal service. Thus, every effort is made to keep your refrigeration system in top condition 24/7. As a refrigeration company, Arco i exclusive service partner for B Medical Systems and Rittal.
www.arconv.com
BIMSOFT
Bimsoft lets your business go digital. For quality control, traceability, laboratory data, planning and production monitoring. The solutions are always tailored to the existing environment. So Bimsoft always starts from the basis that is already present in your company. The You.Trace.IT platform is fully adaptable to your needs and requirements. This is possible because of the smooth configuration in You.Model.IT and the extensive experience in breweries, bakeries, slaughterhouses, meat processing companies and in pharma. In addition, Bimsoft can provide services and products within IT, ranging from network services to hardware procurement. For more information, please visit the website or visit us for a demo tailored to your needs.
www.bimsoft.be
BOONS FIS
BOONS FIS is an experienced manufacturer, supplier and installer (VCA*-certified) of industrial cleaning systems and applications for all major industries. Within the food industry, the company focuses on pressure boosting units and cleaning systems with its own innovative devices 'by BOONS FIS'. This allows the operator to easily foam, rinse and/or disinfect by selecting one of the options using the mechanical selector switch. Everything in a snap, it couldn't be simpler. Central and decentralized systems, as well as walluntis and mobile units. Everything tailored to the customer's needs. In addition, BOONS FIS can provide you with hygiene equipment (hand disinfection, sole cleaning, sinks, complete hygiene washes) and crate washers with associated logistic and mechanical handling systems.
www.boonsfis.com
CID LINES
The CID LINES Food Division offers an extensive range of high-quality cleaning and disinfection products for the food sector, among others. These are always compliant with the latest regulations, with a focus on safety for people, the environment and materials. The food team represents the STEP program, which stands for Service, Training & Tools, Equipment and Products. Customer needs and critical points are analyzed and together a company-specific hygiene program is developed. Each start-up is accompanied by an intensive follow-up, theoretical and practical training. On request, CID LINES provides a complete audit of existing and/or new cleaning programs.
www.cidlines.be
EPACCO
Epacco is the only cleaning company in Belgium that focuses exclusively on the food industry. By very consciously opting for the food industry, all support services are therefore focused on this. Epacco has its own quality department and a complete online management system which brings together all information for the client (methods and chemistry used, bacteriology, management of periodic tasks, communication tool with logbook, reports, action points, incidents, safety). A team of fourteen people is monitoring the more than 80 sites and 300 employees on a daily basis. With Epacco Technics, there is also always a team ready for one-off and periodic tasks. Interested? Then don't hesitate to contact Epacco. The company will be happy to come and introduce its methods to you.
www.epacco.be
GULLIMEX
Companies like to be helped where monitoring critical processes is required by regulations and requires objectivity. Gullimex helps food companies and organizations with smarter measurement and smarter recording. Examples include: measurement of gas (in MAP packaging), temperature, humidity, mass, pressure ... but also control of hygiene or the presence of allergens. This allows the customer to monitor and optimize critical processes for a successful future. Because only if you can measure, you can improve! Gullimex offers solutions for the food industry, food services, health & pharma and logistics. Gullimex distinguishes itself with knowledge, service and entrepreneurship.
www.gullimex.com
HOSA
HOSA is an assembly company with over thirty years of experience in isothermal structures and spaces for food processing, production and storage. An independent position helps the company to offer a customized solution to the customer every time. Execution by its own skilled personnel, a team of about thirty mechanics constantly working on follow-up and finishing, guarantees a qualitative final result within well-defined execution deadlines. For both renovation and new construction projects, you can contact us for complete interior design with sandwich panels, cold and freezer rooms, total projects, Cool-it isotherm doors, impact protection materials and aesthetic cladding and roofs.
www.hosa.be
KLARATEX
Clean work clothes are indispensable for any business sector. Well-maintained equipment is not only an absolute necessity in terms of hygiene, the staff equally demands a representative, fashionable outfit. Outsourcing is the message. Klaratex has been providing impeccably clean work clothing for the food industry for 80 years. Klaratex provides rental and maintenance (washing, drying, ironing and repair) of work clothing with a total service, sizing, clothing lockers with inlay service, as well as anti-pollution mats. With more than 80 years of experience and know-how, Klaratex ensures that its customers' employees always have representative work clothing, according to their wishes, requirements and needs.
www.klaratex.be
LAVETAN
Lavetan is the leading laboratory for the food industry. Whether you are looking for nutritional determination, microbiological analyses, chemical contaminant detection, DNA analyses, marketability reports ... you will find it all with us! As a customer, you get access to the online portal and all additional services such as customized reports, early warnings, scientific advice, invoices in the layout you find most convenient ... The laboratory in Turnhout is state-of-the-art, fully digitized and robotized. For our efforts in this regard, we have already been awarded Factory of the Future twice. Lavetan belongs to GBA GROUP, an international group of specialized laboratories with more than forty sites.
www.lavetan.be
MUNTERS
Munters is a world leader in innovative, energy efficient and sustainable climate solutions where controlling temperature and humidity is essential. Munters climate control with fast drying is an efficient tool in listeria control. The company has a very specific drying technology for this purpose. The reduction of germ counts is the essence of the problem Munters solves. Fast drying after cleaning is not possible at most companies and triggers people to ask how Munters can do it. Some applications you can turn to the company for: drying after cleaning, avoiding condensation droplets in refrigerated areas, avoiding cross-contamination, lowering relative humidity, avoiding mold growth and snow-free freezers.
www.munters.com
SALEENCO
Mechanical engineering with technical mastery, this is what typifies Saleenco. Saleenco is a leader in the engineering and realization of complete production lines for the vegetable and potato processing industry. The installations include both specific process machines (blanchers, washers, mixing installations, calibrators ...) and customized transport systems such as conveyors, screws, redlers and vibrators. Thanks to years of experience and specialization in the food industry, Saleenco knows better than anyone else how to integrate the strictest HACCP norms and hygiene standards into production lines. Innovation and food safety are always central. To guarantee quality and service, Saleenco is fully vertically integrated, from its own design and internal production to the complete assembly and maintenance of the installations.
www.saleenco.be
SOLCO
Solco has specialized in all types of synthetic resin floors for various applications for more than a decade. The company stands for expertise, durability, functionality and excellent value for money. Solco does not choose to install one type of flooring everywhere, but is convinced that there is the right flooring system for every solution. With a passion for the trade, solco assists you in making the best choice for your perfect cast floor. The floors are provided with the necessary certificates such as food certificates according to the European Food Agency, fire certificates and CE standards. Additionally, no solvents are used in the floors. As a result, toxic fumes or solvents will never enter the room. Thanks to the close-knit team, you are always in contact with the same people to guarantee smooth cooperation.
www.solco.org
VMA
VMA offers sustainable technological and innovative total customized solutions and is active in the full spectrum of electrical installations and technology, from high voltage to bit! More than 900 employees, including 250 engineers/bachelors, are at the disposal of clients at home and abroad. Together they are active in the following sectors: electrical engineering buildings, HVAC, fire protection, infrastructure , automotive, process and manufacturing industry. With more than 60 software engineers, we provide the software for the control of machinery according to the client's wishes and, with MOMENTUM from BrightEye, we offer a modular solution for the optimization of operational and production processes and close the gap with the ERP environment.
www.vma.be
GLUECOM
Gluecom is a fast growing Belgian manufacturer of industrial adhesives, with production sites in Lokeren, Bruges, Paris and Birmingham. As the only manufacturer in Belgium of end-of-line packaging hot melts (Metalocene, EVA, PSA), Gluecom has quickly become the market leader in the food industry by focusing on creating added value for its customers. The company does this through pre-testing in one of our four labs, technical support on the packaging line, glue performance optimization, significant savings on the glue and packaging budget, multi-site inventories and the thorough personal approach of experienced and passionate people, with an eye for the specific needs within a production environment in the food sector.
www.webshop.gluecom.eu
